The Heir of the Celestial Diagram

Chapter 39: The Heart of the Ruins 

The Ruins of the Eternal Night were a cemetery of forgotten eras. The wind blew through the crumbling structures, carrying with it ancient whispers and the residual energy of battles long lost. Han Feng advanced cautiously, his purple eyes shining through the dark mist. Each step he took within the ruins seemed to awaken something dormant, as if the very ground were watching his presence. The Curse of the Black Mist Even before taking ten steps, Han Feng noticed a peculiar phenomenon. The mist hovering over the place was not just a natural phenomenon, but rather a type of spiritual restriction. As he delved deeper, he felt his Qi circulation being slightly suppressed. It was an ancient formation that weakened any intruder, making them more vulnerable to unexpected attacks. — Interesting… — he murmured to himself, activating the Art of the Celestial Veil to minimize his presence. Moving like a shadow, Han Feng explored the ruins, searching for signs of the Dark Moonstone. His knowledge indicated that the mineral formed in places where Yin Qi and Dark Qi overlapped for thousands of years. A place as ancient as this would certainly have what he was looking for. However, his search was interrupted by a low and rhythmic noise. The Forgotten Guardian Han Feng quickly hid behind a broken column and watched. In the center of an ancient hall, a colossal figure slowly emerged from the darkness. It looked like a golem of black stone, covered in ancient runes that glowed faintly. Its empty eyes lit up with a ghostly blue light as it moved heavily. — A guardian… — Han Feng clenched his fists. Such creatures were common in places of historical significance, programmed to eliminate any intruder. The golem raised a massive stone axe and struck the ground. The shockwave swept through the debris, cracking the ground in various directions. Han Feng jumped back, dodging with agility. He didn't want to fight directly—it was a waste of time and energy—but he also couldn't simply ignore the monster. Activating his Qi, he used the Shadow Wind Steps technique, moving like a swift shadow around the enemy. The golem turned its head in the direction of the movement, but Han Feng had already disappeared, reappearing on a higher pillar. Looking around, he noticed something crucial: an ancient inscription was glowing on the wall next to the golem. It was a control seal. If he destroyed that seal, the guardian would lose his strength. With a precise movement, Han Feng condensed his Qi at the tip of his fingers and launched a Shadow Dart. The attack hit the seal directly, causing it to explode into bright fragments. The golem trembled. Its movements became erratic, until it finally crumbled into pieces, its blue glow slowly extinguishing. Han Feng let out a faint sigh. With the path clear, he moved forward.

The Core of the Dark Moon After a few more minutes of exploration, he finally found what he was looking for. In the center of an underground chamber, surrounded by streams of Yin Qi, lay a shimmering mineral: the Dark Moonstone. Han Feng approached carefully, feeling the powerful energy emanating from the crystal. For an ordinary cultivator, absorbing this energy directly would be an act of suicide, but for him, it was a perfect catalyst for his advancement to Rank 3. He extended his hand and touched the stone. Instantly, a wave of icy Qi coursed through his body, almost freezing his meridians. However, instead of retreating, Han Feng channeled his Dual Chaos Larva, absorbing the energy and neutralizing the negative effects. The stone began to dissolve into luminous threads, being completely absorbed by Han Feng. His dantian pulsed violently, indicating that his advancement was near. But before he could celebrate his discovery, a terrifying presence emerged behind him. The Mysterious Cultivator "I didn't expect to find someone so talented here," said a cold voice. Han Feng turned slowly. A man in a dark tunic and silver mask was at the entrance of the chamber, watching him with interest. — Who are you? — asked Han Feng, without showing any nervousness. — Just a curious person — the man replied, stepping forward. — But I must say, absorbing a Dark Moonstone directly... that's something few would dare to attempt. You are not an ordinary cultivator. Han Feng did not respond. Instead, he closely observed every movement of the stranger. His aura was deep and unstable, as if he were hiding his true cultivation level. — You don't need to be so cautious — the man chuckled lightly. — I'm not interested in fighting. At least, not now. I just wanted to see if you would actually survive the absorption. Han Feng maintained his defensive stance. This person... clearly was not just any cultivator. — If I may offer you some advice… — the man continued. — If you keep hiding your true potential, you will end up attracting even more attention. In the end, all secrets are revealed. Han Feng frowned, but before he could respond, the man disappeared as if he had never been there. Preparation for Departure With the threat temporarily averted, Han Feng decided it was time to leave. He had already gotten what he needed and staying there any longer would only increase the risks. However, the words of the mysterious cultivator echoed in his mind. It was true that he was hiding and advancing in secret, but... how long could he maintain this? He didn't know the answer. But one thing was certain: he was closer to Rank 3 than ever. With the Shadow Moonstone now integrated into his body, he prepared to leave the Ruins of Eternal Night. The way back, however, promised to be even more dangerous. Continues…